FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –
April 22, 2026
**PRESS RELEASE**
COUNCILMEMBER BOB BLUMENFIELD PUSHES FOR NEW PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO IMPROVE LOCAL CITY SHELTERS
LOS ANGELES, CA – This week, Councilmembers Bob Blumenfield and Monica Rodriguez introduced a motion directing the Department of Animal Services to begin the process of transitioning multiple municipal shelters into public-private partnership with local non-profits. Following the success of Paws for Life K9 Rescue improving conditions and outcomes at the former Northeast Valley Animal Care Center, the move aims to bring more non-profit partners to the table, helping take on the vital responsibility of care and adoption services for thousands of animals.
“We owe it to every animal in our shelters to give them the best opportunity to find a forever home and live a quality life,” said Councilmember Bob Blumenfield. “When you walk into a city shelter vs Paws for Life or one of many local non-profit adoption centers, it’s often a tale of two cities. The look, the feel, the noise, and often the smell can have an enormous impact on whether a person brings a new pet home and we are fortunate that in Southern California there are so many great non-profits with whom we can partner.”
“Paws for Life K9 Rescue in Council District 7 is the model for combining animal welfare and re-entry and demonstrates what a truly effective animal care model can look like,” said Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez. “Their comprehensive approach to shelter operations, rehabilitation, training and adoptions shows the impact of deeply integrated nonprofit collaboration. This is exactly the kind of bold, cost-effective, multi-benefit modernization strategy that should be replicated and scaled across our city shelters as we desperately need to expand spay/neuter efforts, improve conditions, and increase adoptions.”
“The best way to ensure our animal service system truly serves Angelenos is by partnering with trusted community organizations like Paws for Life,” said Councilmember Ysabel Jurado. “At a time when our City faces real fiscal challenges, these public-private partnerships allow us to improve conditions for animals while supporting the workers and volunteers who care for them. I am proud to support proven models that can strengthen services, improve shelter conditions, and affirm our shared commitment to care, dignity, and accountability.”
LA’s Department of Animal Services (DAS) operates one of the nation’s largest municipal shelter systems, handling approximately 60,000 animals annually and responding to 20,000 emergency calls each year. Currently, the City’s six shelter locations are staffed with a limited number of animal care technicians, at least one veterinarian, and an assisting registered veterinary technician.
For too long city shelters have been operating with resources to fully staff four of the six facilities, often asking volunteers to do way more than they should including cleaning kennels. This raises liability issues that have been well reported on, and can discourage people from volunteering. The number of animals brought into City shelters has outpaced the number of pets being adopted or placed with rescue partners. In recent years City shelters have faced extreme overcrowding and staffing shortages resulting in dogs not being walked for weeks or months and dogs frequently being doubled or tripled up in small kennels. These conditions have led to increased stress among animals, likely with negative outcomes reducing their adoptions.
"Our model at Paws For Life K9 Rescue is built on the belief that every animal deserves individualized attention, enrichment, and a clear pathway to adoption or placement,” said Alex Tonner, Founder/President of Paws For Life K9 Rescue. “The Northeast Valley Animal Care Center is proof that a collaborative model between the City and a committed nonprofit partner can transform positive outcomes and improved care environments lead to better behavioral outcomes and significantly higher adoption rates. We hope this recognition opens the door to scaling that approach and giving more animals in Los Angeles the second chance they deserve."
Blumenfield’s motion specifically instructs DAS and other departments to report on the feasibility of issuing a Request for Information seeking a contractor of an established animal care and control organization to operate one or more of the shelter facilities currently operated by the City in a manner similar to the Northeast Valley Animal Care Center. It also instructs the CAO to report on the feasibility and process for reassigning existing staff (no layoffs or job loss) and resources from certain City operated shelter facilities to other City operated shelter facilities in order to improve conditions at a reduced number of City operated shelter facilities. The other shelter facilities would be kept operational by a contractor/non-profit.
Further, by focusing the attention of DAS on fewer sites, City resources can be appropriately allocated to essential public safety and health/welfare services. Certain functions which must be handled by City workers, such as intake of surrendered and stray animals, animal cruelty investigations, quarantines, and licensing would remain with DAS.
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